Condenser system



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Patented Apr. 17, 1 934 CONDENSER SYSTEM Louis A. Gebhard, Washington, D. 0., assignor to Wired Radio, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 22, 1928, Serial No. 327,990

14 Claims. (Cl. 175-415) My invention relates to condenser systems in denser system of my invention. Thermionic general and more specifically to certain structural tubes 1 and 2 are connected in an electrically baland electrical features of electrical condensers anced circuit arrangement. Thermionic tubes employed in high frequency transmitters. 1 and 2 have cathodes 3 and 4, control electrodes An object of my invention is to provide an im- 5 and 6 and anodes 7 and 8 respectively. Cath- 60 proved condenser system for controlling the freode 3, control electrode 5 and anode 7 of thermiquency characteristics and for neutralizing a onic tube 1, are supplied with energy from sources thermionic tube transmitter. 9, 11 and 12 respectively. Control electrode 6,

, Another object of my invention is to provide cathode 4 and anode 8 of thermionic tube 2 are an adjustable condenser unit for a high frequency supplied with energy from sources 11, 10 and 12 65 transmitter wherein undesirable coupling of elecrespectively. The input circuits of thermionic trical energy is avoided. tubes 1 and 2 include inductance l3 and capacity Still another object of my invention is to pro- 14. The output circuit of tube 1 includes the vide a condenser system which is compact and anode '7 thereof, a portion of inductance 18 be- 15 wherein equi-potential members of the frequency tween the center tap 21 thereof and the condenser 70 control and neutralizing units are placed to- 19, and the capacitive plates 26, 27 and 29, all of er. which are electrically connected with one anoth- A further object of my invention is to provide er. The output circuit of tube 2 includes the an arrangement of metallic plates constituting a anode 8 thereof, the portion of inductance 18 be- 20 compact and efficient adjustable capacity unit tween the center tap 21 thereof and the connector 75 for controlling the frequency characteristics and 20, and the capacitive plates 24, 25 and 28, all of balancing a thermionic tube high frequency which are electrically connected with one anothtransmitter. er. The plates 26, 27, 29, 24, 25, and 28, are sta- Other and further objects of my invention retionarily supported and are interleaved by the 5' side in ,the structural features and positioning of movable plates 22, 23, 30, a, 31a and 31. The 0 the several constituent units comprising the confour plates last mentioned are electrically interdenser system, a better understanding of which connected with one another and insulated from can be had by referring to the specification folall of the other plates while plates 22and 23 are lowing and to the accompanying drawings respectively insulated from one another and 0 wherein: from all the other plates. The electrical center 5 Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing 21 of inductance 18 is connected to source 12 and the condenser system of my invention; Fig. 2 is thence to the common cathode connection of a. side elevation in part cross-section of the conthermionic tubes 1 and 2. Control electrode 5 of denser system; Fig. 3 is a top plan view; Fig. 4 thermionic tube 1 is electrically connected to shows a transverse vertical view in section; Fig. plate 22 and, by means of connector 15, to in- 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 6 ductance 13. Control electrode 6 of thermionic is a side elevation in cross-section showing one tube 2 is electrically connected to plate 23 and, by of the adjusting features and Fig. 7 is a front means of connector 16, to inductance 13. The

, elevation showing a section of the panel and one electrical center 17 of inductance 13 is connect- 6 form of the indicating mechanism employed with ed to source 11 and thence to the common caththe condenser system of my invention. ode connection of thermionic tubes 1 and 2.

To obtain successful operation at high frequen- In the operation of high frequency transmitcies in high power transmitters it is necessary to ters my condenser system may be used to neuarrange the parts in such a way that the leads tralize or balance the thermionic tubes. This '5 will be very short and undesirable couplings constitutes a method of balancing the system avoided. The parts must also be designed to wherein the anode of each of a pair of tubes is withstand the rated voltage and current. These capacitively coupled to the input circuit of the two requirements generally work against each other tube. The interaction between the tubes other. If the parts are made large enough to may be controlled and limited by varying the 0"withstand the required voltage the leads may be capacitive coupling so as to annul or neutralize 5 too long. One of the most serious problems lies discrepancies or unlike characteristics of the in balancing the tuning condensers for the higher tubes themselves. power stages. v Condenser plate 24 is at the same high fre- Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows quency potential as anode 8. Condenser plate 55 a schematic circuit diagram employing the con- 22 is at the same high frequency potential as 1 26 is at the same high frequency potential as anode 7 of thermionic tube 1 and condenser plate 23 is at the same high frequency potential as control electrode 6 of thermionic tube 2. Since condenser plates 22 and 23 are adjustable in respect to plates 24 and 26 the energy transfer from the anode of one tube to the control electrode of the other is controlled by the capacitive relation between the respective condenser plates. Providing thermionic tubes 1 and 2 have like inherent frequency characteristics, capacities formed by the relation of the above mentioned plates will approximately correspond. Unlike frequency characteristics may be counter balanced by adjusting one set of movable plates in respect to the other. The state of balance requires a given value of energy to be transferred back to the control electrode of one tube from the anode circuit of the other, which value is controlled by this adjustment.

In balanced thermionic tube circuit arrangements it is essential that the frequency characteristics of the inductance circuits of the balanced tubes be varied equally. It is for this reason that I prefer to include in the structural details of my condenser system a common driving mechanism for moving the plates 22 and 23. These plates, however, are insulated from one another. The plates 30, 30a, 31a and 31, may also be moved as a. unit under a separate control. Thus the capacity relationships on the two sides of the inductance 18 may be varied in equal amounts. As will presently be shown, my invention provides a very compact arrangement of the condenser plates for controlling the frequency characteristics of the inductance 18 as well as for neutralizing the system wherein an electrical balance is to be maintained, and for shielding the several units in respect to each other.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the condenser system in its entirety is built into a suitable frame-work 40, portions of which are of insulating material. Condenser plates 25, 22 and 24 shown in Fig. 1 are concealed in Fig. 2 by the wall member 24a. Plates 26 and 2'7 are shown in section with a section similar to 24a removed.

Plates 26 and 27 are integral wih thermionic tube socket In. As is well known in the art, the metallic socket is at the same potential as the anode of the respective tube. Condenser plate 23, shown in Fig. 1 is here shown as comprising telescoping members 23a and 23b, the latter slidably positioned over the former. Plate member 23a is positioned vertically. Member 23b is fixedly mounted as to rotary movement but is movable vertically. The effective capacity area is adjusted by causing plate member 23b to move vertically telescoping over member 23a or to move in the opposite direction thereby exposing a larger surface of member 23a. Members 23a and 23b, as also all of the plates, may be of aluminum, brass or other metal. The mechanism for causing the plate 23b to telescope over the plate 23a includes vertical shafts 43 and. 43a, bevel gears 44, 44a and 47, the shafts 45, 45a and 451), the gear train 49 and the handle 46 for manually adjusting the same. In order that the plate system 23a-23b may be kept insulated from the plate system 22, the two ends of the shaft 45 are insulated from one another as by the enlarged center portion thereof. The two ends of the shaft 53 are insulated from one another in like manner. It will be understood, however, that in- 1,955,363 control electrode 5. Similarly condenser plate sulation may be provided atother points, if desired, for accomplishing the same purpose.

As will be more clearly seen upon reference to Fig. 5, the shafts 43a and 43 terminate at their lower extremities in threaded portions 63 and 68a respectively, these being screwed into the internally threaded tubular members 69 and 69a, respectively.

These tubular members are secured to the bottom portions of the plates 22 and 23, being prevented from turning by the pins '70. Suitable bearings 48 are provided (as shown in Fig. 2) for the shafts 43 and 43a whereby the bevel gears 44 may be enabled to mesh properly. Sufficient clearance is provided between the tubular members 69 and 69a (as shown in Fig. 6) and the inner walls of the plate 231) so that the latter may be telescoped over the plate 23a by rotation of the shafts 43 and 43a. A similar structure is, of course, provided for the two portions of the plates 22 although this is concealed from view in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 shows in plan view the mechanically interconnected arrangement of the four vertical shafts such as 43, 43a and 43b whereby the load imposed upon the driving mechanism for lifting the lower portions of the plate members 22 and 232) may be evenly distributed.

Figs. 2 and 4 show how the plates 30, 30a 31a and 31 are suitably spaced and interconnected by the bottom supporting member 37. Another spacing member 37a is provided at the top for interconnecting the plates 30a and 31a. Member 37 is provided with two bushings 371) which are threaded preferably both internally and externally, and which are firmly secured therein. The internal threading of these bushings is adapted to accommodate the threaded portions of the shafts 38 and 38a by which the plates are adjustably supported. Clearance holes are also provided in the spacing member 37a through which these shafts 38 and 38a project. The shafts just mentioned are carried on suitable pivot bearings 39 which are held in position on the frame 40.

A gear train actuated by the crank handle 54 and connecting with the shafts 38 and 38a through the shafts 53 and the bevel gears 42 provides the means for raising and lowering the system of plates 30, 30a, 31a and 31 for varying the capacitative coupling with respect to the other plate members with which they are interleaved.

Figs. 3 and 5 show how the tubes 1 and 2 are shielded by the plate members 27 and 25, respectively, and by portions of the plate members 26 and 24, respectively. The tube sockets 1a and 2a. are provided, as is customary for high power tubes, with water circulating connectors 36a and 35a, respectively.

An inductance may be mounted near thermionic tube sockets 1a and 2a and connected with contact members 61 and 62. Contact members 61 and as shown, are immediately adjacent to the thermionic tube sockets which makes possible the interconnection with conducting members of short length. It is likewise shown in this illustration how plates 25 and 27 may be extended around thermionic tube sockets 2a and 1a respectively thus providing an adequate shield. The sides of plates 24, 25 and plates 26, 27 are closed as shown at K and K respectively. This provides a shield for the telescoping plate members controlled by handle 46. For the purpose of limiting the downward movement of the plate members 231) I provide a rod member 70 having a head '72 which forms an abutment with the extremity of plate members 23a as represented at 71. The head 72 in abutting with the inner extremity 71. of plate members 23a prevents the further downward movement of plate 23b.

Fig. 7 shows the indicating system associated with the gear train 49. Windows 490 and 550 are positioned in panel 50 through which calibration of dials 49a, 49b, 55a, and 55b is visible. Dials 49b and 552) may indicate relatively coarse adjustments and dials 49a and 55a indicate more precisely the settings. Handle 54 controls the main capacity unit and handle 46 the neutralizing or balancing capacity. The two may be interconnected and operated by a common control member if so desired.

The condenser system of my invention may be especially designed to meet the particular application desired. The number of stationary and movable plates is not limited. Many modifications of the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 1 are possible. Any number of thermionic tubes may be employed. While the condenser system of my invention is especially adapted to high frequency transmitters employing thermionic tubes having their anodes cooled by a circulatory liquid, other uses for the invention will readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art.

The condenser system of my invention may be used in many electrical systems and arrangements not referred to in the foregoing specification or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular embodiment herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings but only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A condenser system comprising in combination a plurality of stationary plates, said Stationary plates comprising two individual groups, the plates of each group being electrically connected in series, said groups being electrically insulated each from the other, a set of movable plates electrically connected in parallel and capacitively related to said stationary plates, means for moving said movable plates linearly in the direction of their respective faces, andan independent system of platesmovable in capacitive relation to said two groups of stationary plates.

2. A condenser system comprising in combination a plurality of stationary plates, said stationary plates comprising two individual groups, said groups being electrically insulated each from the other, a set of movable plates electrically connected together and capacitively related to said stationary plates, and an independent system of plates electrically insulated from said other plates and movable in capacitive relation to said two groups of stationary plates.

3. A condenser system comprising in combination a plurality .of stationary plates, said stationary plates comprising two individual groups, said groups being electrically insulated each from the other,,a set of movable plates electrically connected together and capacitively related to said stationary plates, and an independent system of plates electrically insulated from each other and from said other plates and movable in capacitive relation to said two groups of stationary plates.

4. A condenser system comprising in combination two groups of stationary plates, each including individual elements electrically connected in series, two units of movable plates electrically insulated from each other and in capacitive relation to said stationary plates, and a set of movable plates electrically insulated from said Stationary plates and units of movable platesand in a capacitive relation common to said groups of stationary plates.

5. A condenser system comprising in combination groups of stationary plates, each including individual elements electrically connected in series, units of movable plates electrically insulated from each other and in capacitive relation to said stationary plates, a set of movable plates electrically insulated from said stationary plates and units of movable plates and in a capacitive relation common to said groups of stationary plates, and means for simultaneously operating said units of movable plates.

6. A condenser comprising in combination individual groups of stationary plates, each including plates electrically connected in series, said groups being electrically insulated each from the other, a set of movable plates electrically connected together and in common capacitive relation to said groups of stationary plates, an independent system of movable plates electrically insulated each from the other and from said other plates and in capacitive relation to said groups of stationary plates, and means for simultaneously controlling the movement of said movable plates constituting said independent system.

7. A condenser system comprising in combination two groups of stationary plates, each comprising a plurality of plates connected in series, said groups being insulated from each other, a set of movable plates common to both groups of stationary plates, and independent movable plates insulated from each other and in capacitive relation with said groups of stationary plates.

8. In a condenser system, in combination, a plurality of parallel stationary plates comprising a plurality of groups of plates insulated from each other, each group including a multiplicity of plates connected in series, a set of movable plates insulated from said stationary plates, an independent system of movable plates insulated from each other and in capacitive relation with said groups of stationary plates, and means for advancing said set of movable plates and said independent system of movable plates toward said parallel stationary plates from opposite directions.

9. In a balanced thermionic tube system the combination of two groups of stationary plates insulated from each other, a set of movable plates adapted to control the capacitive relation of said groups of stationary plates, a plurality of individual plates insulated from each other and comprising individual capacities in capacitive relation with said groups of stationary plates respectively, and means for simultaneously controlling the effective values of said individual capacities.

10. A condenser system comprising in combination groups of stationary plates insulated from each other, a set of movable plates adapted to control the capacitive relation of said groups of stationary plates, a plurality of individual mov-' able plates insulated from each other and associated in capacitive relation with said groups of stationary plates respectively, and means for si- .multaneously varying the effective capacity area between said individually movable plates and said groups of stationary plates.

11. A condenser system comprising in combination a system of stationary plates arranged in parallel relation, said system of stationary plates comprising a plurality of groups of plates electrically insulated each from the other, each of said groups including elements electrically connected in series, a set of movable plates adapted to control the capacitive relation of said groups of stationary plates, a plurality of individual movable plates insulated from each other and capacitively related with said groups of stationary plates respectively, and means for simultaneously varying the efiective capacity area of said last mentioned movable plates with respect to said groups of stationary plates.

12. A condenser system having two individual groups of stationary plates electrically insulated each from the other, a set of movable plates adapted to be capacitively related to said groups of stationary plates, and individually movable plates electrically insulated from each other and from said other plates and comprising individual capacities with said groups of stationaryplates respectively.

13. A condenser system for a balanced thermionic tube circuit comprising in combination groups of stationary plates, movable plates in capacitive relation to said stationary plates, individual plates insulated from each other and adapted to be capacitively related to said groups of stationary plates respectively, and means for simultaneously varying the efiective capacity area of said individual plates with respect to said stationary plates.

14. A condenser system comprising in combination two groups of stationary plates each electrically insulated from the other, each group including a multiplicity of plate elements, a set of movable plates adapted to be capacitively related to said stationary plates, individual plates insulated from each other and each adapted to be capacitively related with one of said groups of stationary plates respectively, and means for simultaneously controlling the capacity relations between said individual plates and said stationary plates independently of the adjustment of said set of movable plates with respect to said stationary plates.

LOUIS A. GEBHARD. 

